Mopar Muscle Ram blends off-roading and monster trucks

Posted on January 30, 2014 by admin.

When it comes to off-road driving, bigger is usually better. With details like lift kits, off-road tires and suspension components all contributing to higher ground clearance and larger overall vehicles, there are many ways drivers can upgrade their rides to handle anything.

However, no matter how many truck modifications these owners make, their automobiles rarely touch the biggest, baddest rides out there: monster trucks. One new creation that certainly deserves some respect is the Mopar Muscle Ram. As the latest addition to the lineup from Hall Brothers Racing, this monster truck is expected to steal the spotlight at several upcoming shows around the U.S., including its grand debut Jan. 11 in Detroit.

Fortunately for fans of off-roading, this vehicle also features several truck mods that could act as inspiration for future off-road vehicles. After all, Mopar worked with Ram Truck to develop the final model, and that teamwork may have some far-reaching effects on the industry.

About the partnership
Ram has been a sponsor of the Hall Brothers Racing team since 2002. Since that time, the two companies have worked together on a variety of projects, but none on the level of this Mopar Muscle Ram. In fact, that vehicle is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer monster truck to take part in the Monster Jam series in more than a decade.

"We're excited to have Mopar make its first foray into the world of monster trucks by joining the Ram brand in this popular and competitive exhibition series ..." said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar. "So much of what Mopar does is applicable to the general consumer, but occasionally we like to show just how capable our brand is of really extreme performance. This is a great and fun opportunity for us to do that with Mopar Muscle and the Hall Brothers."

Inside the truck
With a weight of 10,300 pounds and a height that stands at about 10 feet, the Mopar Muscle is an intimidating truck. It is based on the 2014 Ram HD pickup truck, and the frame of the new vehicle was even made to look like that Ram product.

Of course, what will likely steal the show immediately are the oversized tires included on the truck. Ram and Mopar made room for those giant wheels by installing a lift kit, which raised the truck several feet off the ground. That is necessary to maneuver around full-size cars and other obstacles, but the odds are off-road drivers won't need as much separation from the ground. Still, that doesn't mean the capability isn't appreciated, and it should help make the truck a force to be reckoned with on the course.

"We are very proud of our new Mopar Muscle Ram monster truck," said Tim Hall, owner and crew chief of the monster truck team. "It looks really fantastic, and I can't wait to see it run. Mopar has a long and storied history of winning across many forms of racing, so we intend on helping to make their entry into monster truck racing just as successful."

To match the increased size of the truck, the Ram's engine has also been upgraded. It now measures at 9.3 liters and was supercharged to reach 2,000 horsepower. That was created from the Gen II 426 HEMI motor, which is an engine that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This latest version shows that the engine isn't slowing down anytime soon, and if it can power this large machine through the challenges of a Monster Jam, it is likely able to handle anything from mudding to dune bashing as well.